Coronavirus Kent in Five Graphs Week 22 (29/05/20)

NB: All deaths are by local authority and by cause of death, for deaths that occurred up to 29th May but were registered up to 6th June in England and Wales. They are provisional figures and subject to possible change. Source of data ONS.

All data is for Kent local authorities including Medway only.

All Causes/places of death

In week 22 (29/05/20) the downward trend continued for Covid and non-Covid deaths, with total deaths appreciably below the pre-Covid seasonal average. This provides more supporting evidence to suggest that Covid predominantly, though not entirely took the lives of the elderly and infirm.

Hospitals

Total hospital deaths in week 22 were the same overall (116) as the previous week, with Covid deaths rising by 2, as other deaths fell by 2. This was the first week Covid deaths in hospital rose since the peak in week 15. Because the downward slope is predictably shallower, and because the rise is so small too much importance should not be given this small blip.

Care homes

Covid-19 deaths in Kent care homes dropped by 50% in week 22 with respect to week 21 – suggesting the authorities have matters under control. Getting back down to the expected rate for this time of year may mean that staff resources will be less under pressure than in the peak weeks.

In a KCC  Adult Social Care Cabinet committee virtual briefing held on Friday 5th June, it emerged nearly 28% of the care homes in Kent have been affected by outbreaks of coronavirus. This means 153 of the 547 care homes in Kent have reported an occurrence of Covid-19 in the last three months.

Deaths at home.

One recorded deaths at home from the virus in week 22. If there is any resurgence following the partial relaxation of lockdown rules and large demonstrations the effect will not be seen for a week or two.

Other communal establishments

There has been just one Covid-19 death in the last four weeks in other communal establishments. It is too soon to conclude there will not be others in future weeks.

All of the Shepwayvox Team extend their thanks and gratitude to all NHS staff, all carers in care homes and hospices, to all community volunteers, Kent Fire Brigade, Kent Police and Paramedics for their and anyone else we may have forgotten. The thanks you are all owed is immeasurable.

The numbers above are not just numbers, they represent a real person who has passed away because of covid-19, or for other health reasons. Each of them have family, loved ones and friends. To each of you, wherever you are in Kent or Medway, we extend our deepest condolences to you, as we understand many of you will not have been able to be with them at the end.

The one comfort we can all take from the persons passing, is that each of them received the most powerful drug in the world – kindness. It work’s for everyone, it’s hard to get the dose wrong, and it’s free at the point of delivery. Thanks to all those who have delivered that throughout this crisis.

The Shepwayvox Team

Stay Alert – Protect The NHS – Save Lives